RHOBH’s Teddi Mellencamp on Reality TV, Cancer, and Finding Her Voice

Teddi Mellencamp has lived many lives—reality star, wellness entrepreneur, podcast host, and daughter of rock royalty. But her recent appearance on The Skinny Confidential Him & Her podcast reveals something more fundamental: She’s a fighter who has come out on top, battle scars and all.

Beyond the Famous Last Name

Born to rock legend John Mellencamp, Teddi’s life wasn’t as fairytale-like as some might assume. Her parents met when her dad was just breaking into the music industry, and their marriage didn’t last long. “My parents got divorced when I was in third grade, and it was brutal,” she shared. “It was all of the things you hope it’s not going to be.”

Despite the challenges, Mellencamp channeled her energy into competitive horseback riding, a passion that took her across the country. “I traveled around with my horse trainers from the time I was in sixth grade until I aged out at 18,” she recalled. “It was the first thing that really gave me a sense of identity.”

By 17, she moved to Los Angeles, working her way through acting classes, mailrooms, and Hollywood hostess gigs. “I gained probably 70 pounds when I first moved to LA,” she said. “I was just eating my feelings and trying to figure out my place. Then, I booked an acting job, and the producers told me I needed to lose weight. I never auditioned again.”

Despite her lineage, she was determined to forge her own path. “I never used my dad’s name to get work,” she explained. “But I did use it to get a dinner reservation at The Ivy.”

The Reality of Beverly Hills

When Mellencamp joined The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, she expected drama—but nothing could prepare her for the intensity of reality TV. “When they told me I booked Housewives, I had so much fear,” she admitted. “I became a shell of myself, trying to portray this perfect life that was far from perfect.”

“I mean, Beverly Hills is different from other franchises,” she explained. “People aren’t asking deep, vulnerable questions. Everyone is protecting their image. No one wants to show the cracks.”

Though she formed deep friendships with some castmates, including Kyle Richards, others weren’t as supportive. “There were moments where I felt completely broken,” she confessed. “I was pretending not to care, but I did. I cared a lot.”

Between online scrutiny, on-screen feuds, and the pressure to maintain appearances, the experience left her feeling vulnerable. “By the time I was let go from the show, I was actually relieved,” she admitted. “But at the same time, it was terrifying because it felt like my whole world had just crumbled.”

A Battle Beyond the Camera

After her exit from RHOBH, Mellencamp faced an even bigger challenge—one that had nothing to do with Bravo cameras. A long-time sun lover, she had never taken skin health seriously. “I grew up in the 80s, putting baby oil and iodine on my skin,” she recalled. “I was that girl who had a tanning bed in my bedroom.”

It wasn’t until a friend pointed out an unusual spot on her shoulder that she saw a doctor. The diagnosis? Stage 2 melanoma.

“I thought skin cancer was no big deal,” she admitted. “I was so wrong. It turned into over 20 surgeries, and my last one had 800 stitches. When I heard the words ‘no melanoma’ for the first time in years, I just broke down in tears.”

She now preaches the importance of sun safety. “I used to put sunscreen on my kids but never on myself. Now, I won’t step outside without SPF. I tell everyone to get their skin checked. It could save your life.”

Finding Her Voice

Post-Housewives, Mellencamp found her voice through podcasting. She launched Two Ts in a Pod with fellow former Housewife Tamra Judge, where they spill tea on all things Bravo. “I wanted to do a show where we could be real and not hold back,” she said. “And trust me, we’ve pissed off plenty of Housewives along the way.”

“Tamara blindsided me once by reading a text from Ubah on air, calling me out for something I said about Real Housewives of New York,” Mellencamp laughed. “And I was like, well, maybe she should act better!”

From Housewives feuds to personal struggles, Mellencamp has learned to embrace her unfiltered self. “I spent so much of my life trying to be what I thought people wanted me to be. Now, I’m just me. And if you don’t like it, I don’t care.”

While she isn’t rushing back to reality TV, Mellencamp is thriving. Her wellness program, All In by Teddi, continues to grow, and she remains outspoken about health, motherhood, and personal growth. “I’m not perfect. I’ve made mistakes. But I own them. And that’s what matters.”

Teddi Mellencamp has faced it all—from Hollywood pressure to public scrutiny to health scares—and has come out stronger. “I’m a fighter,” she said. And I’m not done yet.”